JOHN HUMPHRYS has hit back at critics of his conduct during the BBC's feud with the Government over the Iraq weapons dossier by attacking former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell.

JOHN HUMPHRYS has hit back at critics of his conduct during the BBC's feud with the Government over the Iraq weapons dossier by attacking former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell.

Cardiff-born Humphrys presented the fateful Today programme in which Andrew Gilligan accused the Government of "sexing-up" the dossier on weapons of mass destruction.

The veteran journalist and broadcaster was one of those slammed by Mr Campbell for refusing to admit the story was untrue.

But Humphrys has asked people to compare his record over a 30-year career in radio and television, with that of Mr Campbell while he was working for the Government.

He said, "I'm happy for people to judge me on the basis of my record and I hope they will do the same with Alastair Campbell."

Mr Humphrys was responding in yesterday's Mail on Sunday to Mr Campbell's comment in the wake of the Hutton Inquiry that his behaviour was "unforgivable."

Mr Humphrys has been backed by ousted BBC director general Greg Dyke, who was also branded a liar by Mr Campbell over the "dodgy dossier" affair.

A YouGov poll conducted online over the weekend revealed that, despite the damning Hutton verdict, the BBC was still more trusted by the public than the Government.

When presented with a list of key names involved in the inquiry people were asked which of them they considered fair minded and honest - 57% still believed John Humphrys to be trustworthy, while only 36% had faith in Tony Blair.